Convertible handbag systems

ABSTRACT

A handbag with a removable exterior member which can be replaced with a different exterior member to provide easily changeable aesthetic styles by use of matable connectors located on the exterior member and the handbag. A handbag system is also provided which comprises a first and second handbag, the second handbag suitable for use as a separate clutch and sized to accept the first handbag within the upper portion of the second handbag.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/653,134, filed Dec. 9, 2009, which is a non-provisional of and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/201,302, filed Dec. 9, 2008, the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to convertible small, medium and large handbags.

SUMMARY

The convertible handbag system presented offers a number of advantages. These advantages include: (1) providing versatility with multiple sizes, designs and colors; (2) saving time in removing all items and transferring from one handbag to another; (3) saving money by avoiding the purchase of many individual handbags to create the desired accent to each wardrobe; and (4) remaining up to date with fashions providing a variety of designs. Handbags with these convertible features greatly simplify the life of the owner by providing multiple designs, sizes and colors with fast convertibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the basic convertible handbag or main purse having a strap.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C illustrate belt attachments to the basic convertible handbag.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate flap attachments to the basic convertible handbag.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C illustrate the interior of the basic convertible handbag.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate a drawstring cover.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a durable lightweight silk leather cover over the basic convertible handbag.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flap cover conversion of the basic handbag.

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate different pocket and zipper covers.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E, 9F, 9G and H illustrate small convertible handbags.

FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C illustrate a large or medium size convertible handbag with a removable clutch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The Basic Convertible Handbag

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the basic convertible handbag or main purse 1 with strap 8. Velcro 2 is applied along the outside to fasten different belts or covers to convert and change the appearance of the purse. By way of specific example, a large convertible handbag can have a 17-inch zipper opening and an 18-inch width, a height of 13½ inches and bottom depth 5 inches with a strap that is adjustable up to 36 inches long. A medium convertible handbag can have a 13-inch zipper opening, a 14-inch width, a height of 11 inches, and a bottom depth of 4 inches with a strap that is adjustable up to 36 inches long. All size #4 stitching throughout can be in the same color as the main bag or design element. These dimensions and all dimensions below are exemplary and it will be apparent that convertible purses embodiments of many different sizes can be constructed.

Loop Velcro 2 can, for example, be 1½ to 2 inches wide attached outside that the top of the large bag 1. Alternatively, a magnetic strip can be used to fasten different belts and covers described below. Hook Velcro and/or magnetic strips can be attached to back of belts (and flaps and inside of covers as described below) to fasten to the outside of bag 1 to provide a variety of designs and styles as described below.

Convertible bag 1 can include, by way of example, #5 metal zipper closure, which in the large bag can be 15½ inches long and in the medium bag can be 11½ inches.

Leather and metal zipper stops 4 can be included.

Reinforced leather 5 can be attached to purse 1 to hold decorative hardware.

Permanent or removable decorative hardware rings 6 or alternative shapes varying in sizes and finish can be used to connect the purse to a strap.

Additional tape support material 7 can be used between lining and leather on top of purse behind the Velcro 2.

A shoulder strap 8 with two adjustable hardware snaps or buckles can be used.

Bonded leather 9 can be used for extra support at the bottom of purse between its lining and leather exterior.

All seams 10 can have nylon tape support material as backing as well as #4 stitching.

Convertible Belt Attachments

Belt attachments 11-14 for convertible purse 1 are shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C and can be a variety of styles, design elements and in a variety of colors. Hook Velcro 15 is attached to the back of belts to fasten to the loop Velcro 2 on its outside of main bag 1 (see FIG. 1). By way of examples, a large bag belt can be 39 inches in length and 2 inches width. The medium bag belt can be 33 inches in length and 2 inches in width.

Belt 11 is exemplary of the variety of animal prints to accent color and design with topstitching.

Belt 12 can be plain leather to accent the color of convertible purse 1 with decorative hardware and topstitching.

Belt 13 can be plain leather to accent the color of convertible purse 1 with decorative hardware and topstitching.

Belt 14 can be plain leather to accent the color of convertible purse 1 with a gather design and topstitching.

The hook Velcro 15 used to attach the belt to the main convertible purse can vary from 1 inch to 2 inches in width.

Snap closures 16 at the end of the belts can be used to hook together around the purse.

The handbag 1 can be silk or leather. Other material alternatives are known in the purse and handbag art.

Convertible Flap Attachments

Flap attachments 17 for the basic convertible handbag 1 are shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B can create a variety of styles, design elements and in a variety of colors. Flaps 17 can be plain or include a pocket as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Hook Velcro 18, attached to back of flaps can be fastened to loop Velcro 2 on the outside of the basic convertible bag (see FIG. 1). By way of example, the large plain flap strap can be 36 inches in length and 3 inches in width and the widest part of flap can be 16 inches narrowing to 14 inches at bottom. The medium plain flap strap can be 33 inches in length and from 1½ to 2 inches in width and the widest part of the flap can be 13½ inches narrowing to 9 inches at the bottom. The large pocket flap strap can be 36 inches in length and 2 inches in width and the widest part of the flap pocket can be 16 inches narrowing to 14 inches at the bottom for width. The medium pocket flap strap can be 32 inches in length and from 1½ to 2 inches in width and the widest part of the flap pocket can be 8 inches in width narrowing to 6 inches.

The flaps 17 of FIGS. 3A and 3B can be used on large and medium bags 1 as an alternative to the belt attachments described above. Flaps 17 can be in a variety of styles and colors as accent with decorative reinforced double and single #4 stitching.

Snap, closures 19 at the end of flaps 17 can be used to hook together around purse 1.

Flap 20 shown in FIG. 3B includes a pocket for medium or large bags as an alternative to belts. This flap can be in a variety of styles and colors as accent with decorative reinforced double and single #4 stitching.

Velcro 21 can be used to attach to Velcro 2 on the basic convertible purse 1.

Snap closures 22 at the end of the flaps can hook together around purse.

Hidden magnets 23 can be used for pocket flap closure and also on bottom half of pocket flap to connect to the basic convertible purse 1.

Decorative hardware ring and fringe accent 24 can be added.

The Inside Lining

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are an inside interior view of the convertible purse 1 shown in FIG. 4A during its manufacture before the ends of the purse are attached together by stitching. Durable fabric lining 26 can match main purse in color. By way of example, lining 26 can be attractive Bengaline lining. The large bag dimensions can be 18 inches by 13½ inches by 12 inches across the bottom. The medium bag dimensions for lining can be 14 inches by 11 inches by 10 inches across bottom.

Support materials can be used including bonded leather, brown paper, canvas fabric and tape for extra support throughout.

A durable lining 26 across the bottom can be 5 to 6 inches in depth.

A spring gate hook 27 can be attached to one side of lining with leather loop to hold keys.

An inside zipper pocket 28 can be included on inside lining with plastic 8 inch zipper and pull with zipper stops. Zipper 28 can be 2 inches from the top of purse opening.

The inside purse lining can include a cell telephone holder pocket 29 4 inches by 3¼ inches in leather with 2-inch flap Velcro closure. The telephone holder pocket can be 2 inches from top of the purse opening.

A second include zipper pocket 30 can be used on its inside lining with plastic 8 inch zipper and pull with zipper stops. The zipper can be 2 inches from top of purse opening.

An inside purse lining leather card and/or multi-purchase holder 31 can be 3 inches by 3 inches. A cardholder 31 can be 2 inches from top of purse opening.

A Draw String Cover Attachment

A draw string cover 100 (see FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C) of soft silk durable lightweight leather can replace the belts or flaps described above with a cover 100 and strap allowing for multiple designs in a variety of colors and alternative materials.

By way of example, a large cover 100 for a large convertible bag 1 can have an 18-inch opening 6½ inches in depth, and 16 inches in length. A medium cover for a medium sized convertible bag 1 can have a 16 inch opening 5 inches in depth, 13½ inches in length.

Hook Velcro 32 can be 1 inch wide and be affixed on the inside of the cover 100 to attach to the loop Velcro 2 on the main purse.

Decorative stitching and leather drawstring 30 can be used for a gathered design.

Double stitching 34 can be used for design and reinforcement.

Double-stitched reinforced-attachable leather strap 35 hooks onto basic purse 1 with snap and adjustable buckle design. Strap 35 can be the same color as the cover 100.

Silk Leather Cover

A plain cover 105 of durable lightweight silk leather can with twisted strap shown in FIG. 6A can replace the belt or flap with a different cover 105 and strap thus allowing for multiple designs in a variety of colors and materials. Decorative stitching 38 on body and sides can be used for design and reinforcement.

An attachable twisted leather strap 39 shown in FIG. 6B can snap onto main purse hardware. Strap 39 can be the same color as cover 105.

Replacement Flap Cover

FIG. 7 illustrates a further embodiment wherein a replacement flap cover 110 can be used to replace a belt or flap. This cover 110 and permanently attached flap 115 along with strap 120 allows for multiple designs in a variety of colors.

The large cover 110 can, by way of example, have an 18-inch opening and have a 6½ inch depth and length of 16 inches. The medium cover can have a 16-inch opening, 5 inches in depth, and 13½ inches in length.

Hook Velcro 40 can be located on the inside of the cover 110 to attach to the loop Velcro 2 on basic purse 1.

Decorative leather straps 41 are shown with grommets and double stitching.

A permanently attached flap 115 is shown with decorative ring 42 and fringe design.

Attachable leather strap 120 hooks onto the basic purse 1 with adjustable snap 43 and double stitching design, strap 120 can be the same color as cover 110.

Hidden magnets 44 can be attached to the main purse 1 and flap 115 for flap closure.

Pocket and Zipper Covers

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C illustrate different pocket and zipper covers 130, 135 for the basic convertible handbag 1 which can be used to replace the belt or flap described above with a cover that includes pockets and zipper design and strap allowing for multiple designs in a variety of colors.

A large cover 130 for the large handbag 1 can, for example, have an 18-inch opening, a 6½ inch depth and 16 inches in length. The medium cover 135 for the medium handbag 1 can have a 16-inch opening, a 5-inch depth and 16 inches in length and 13½ inches in length.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a strap of hook Velcro 45 can be 1-inch wide and located on the inside of the cover 130 to attach to the loop Velcro 2 on the basic or main purse 1.

Two useable and decorative pockets 46 can have hidden magnetic closure.

One useable front compartment 47 as shown in FIG. 8A can have a metal zipper and pull closure.

Attachable spring gate hardware 48 can hold a strap 50.

Two adjustable shoulder strap snaps 49 can be located on both ends of the leather strap 50.

The shoulder strap 50 can be reinforced and double-stitched leather.

Referring now to FIG. 8B and 8C, attachable leather strap 140 can hook onto the main purse 1 with adjustable snaps. A stitching design can be same color as purse cover. Large lobster claw hooks 51 can be used for closure.

Hook Velcro 52 1-inch wide on the inside of the cover 135 can attach to the loop Velcro 2 on the main purse 1.

Hidden magnetic closure 53 can be provided for an extra outside usable pocket.

Decorative grommets 54 and straps on pocket cover 135 can be used with topstitching for alternative appearances.

Metal hardware snaps 55 can be included on both ends of the strap 140 for providing an adjustable shoulder strap.

Small Handbag or Clutch

A small handbag or clutch 150 is shown in FIGS. 9A-9E. Clutch 150 can have the design elements and accessory items as previously described on the large and medium handbags as well as coverings in a variety of colors and styles.

Thus, the basic small handbag or clutch 150 can have multiple belt, flap and cover designs as well as multiple decorative straps to coordinate the overall design. The inside lining of clutch 150 can have one zipper compartment 59. By way of example, this zipper opening can be 13 inches for a clutch having a width 14 inches, a height of 7 inches, and a bottom depth of 4 inches and a variable 32-inch strap. Velcro 57 is applied along the outside of clutch 150 to fasten belts or covers when switching out designs or belts, flaps and covers.

FIG. 9A illustrates a #5 metal zipper 11½ inches in length and pull with metal and 1 inch sewn in leather stops.

Loop Velcro 57 can be 1 inch on the outside of the clutch 150 to attach to the hook Velcro on the backside of belts, flaps and inside covers.

Small round hooks 58 can be secured to both sides of the inside purse lining of clutch 150 about ½ inch below top zipper opening. Small 1 inch openings on both ends of the leather zipper stops allow a variety of different straps with lobster claw hooks at the end of each strap to slip through the top opening and quickly hook on to the two secured hooks in the lining.

Inside zipper compartment 59 of clutch 150 can include #3 black plastic zipper and pull with metal zipper stops. The zipper opening of the inside compartment can be 7½ inches in length and sewn into a leather frame for a finished design appearance.

Shown in FIG. 9E is a multiple design attachable strap 60 from leather or chain with high quality rhinestone jewels. Small lobster claw clasps at each end can fasten to the main purse.

Multiple belts 61 of different design shown in FIG. 9B can be fastened at the top of clutch purse 150 with hook Velcro on the backside of the belt 61. These belts 61 can measure 33 inches with snap closure, multiple colors, leathers, and high quality jeweled rhinestone crystal belts for eveningwear.

Multiple Flaps shown in FIG. 9C can be of many different designs and can use hook Velcro 62 all around the inside opening of the flap and hook onto the Loop Velcro 57 on the outside of the clutch purse.

As shown FIGS. 9D, 9F, 9G and 9H, multiple cover designs can be provided from plain or gathered leather, snake to fabric in a variety of colors and styles. Styles can include decorative hardware or decorative fabric or leather accessories. Cover 63 is a soft gathered silk leather cover with a decorative knot also from the same leather. Hook Velcro 64 can be 1 inch wide located all around the inside opening of the clutch cover. Thus, cover 13 then slips over the clutch 150 and hooks onto the Loop Velcro 57 of the outside of the clutch 150. The same or different leather covers can be used for variety of style and design.

Large and Medium Handbag with Removable Clutch (2 in 1 Purse)

Shown in FIG. 10A, 10B and 10C is a 2-in-1 connectable handbag which incorporates the large or medium size handbag 1A and a removable clutch 150A. As shown, these purses 1A and 150A can fasten together to create a complete larger purse using Velcro strips on the outside of the purse 1A and the inside of purse 150A. Thus, the bottom half 150A can be removed and used as a clutch purse for day or eveningwear.

Underneath the detached clutch 150A is the basic purse 1A. All belts and flaps with hook Velcro backing in different styles and colors and materials (FIGS. 2 & 3) can now be attached to the middle half of the main purse to create more designs.

When the clutch 150A stands alone, a new look for day to evening can be obtained by changing removable straps. Reinforced leather straps, chain and rhinestone are just a sample of the many designs and styles available for wardrobe change.

In one embodiment, the main body of the 2-in-1 design handbag uses topstitching all around and is made of soft silk leather with other material alternatives to be used in the design process. Sewn all around the middle of the main purse is 1½ to 2 inch loop Velcro 65.

Metal #5 zipper 66 can be recessed and decorative pull with metal and leather zipper stops sewn on both ends of the zipper serve as convenient and reliable closure to this 2-in-1 handbag.

A double-stitched reinforced strap 67 (also see FIGS. 1 and 8) with adjustable snap straps can be used. Other adjustable snap straps may employ buckle or other decorative hardware.

Hardware 68 in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes can be used including hardware that can easily be removed. Reinforced leather can be attached to purse to hold decorative hardware.

Two zipper compartments 69 can be located inside the lining. The zippers can be black size #3 and the dimensions and style can be the same as the cell telephone holder with flap Velcro closure holding a phone securely.

A variety of different straps 70 can be revised for clutch to change from daytime or eveningwear, e.g., leather, chain or rhinestones with Lobster claw hooks at each end of the strap can attach to clutch.

On the inside of the clutch half 150A of this 2-in-1 purse, a 1 inch hook Velcro 71 is sewn all the way around the top inside of the clutch to attach to the main purse half 1A of the 2-in-1 purse.

Inside the clutch half 150A, 1½ inches from its top portion 150, a total of six magnets 72 can be hidden between the lining and the leather, three on each side opposite each other. These hidden magnets can connect together to serve as a secure closure for the removable clutch.

A zipper compartment 73 inside of clutch lining and leather cell telephone compartment with 2-inch flap with Velcro closure measuring 3½ inches by 3½ inches.

On the inside of the clutch half are two small hooks 74 sewn into both sides of the lining. These small hooks allow a variety of different should straps with lobster claw hooks at the end of the strap to slip through the two sides and attach to the clutch.

FIG. 10B shows the clutch 150A when removed from the main purse 1A.

In one embodiment, both the main purse 1A and clutch 150A can be fully lined with Bengaline high quality fabric.

Hook Velcro 76 can be located on the back of the belts 76 for attaching on to the 2-in-1 main purse for multiple designs with a variety of belts.

While the invention has been described herein with reference to certain preferred embodiments, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and not to limit the scope of the invention. 

1. A handbag system, comprising: A handbag, having an inside, an outside, a top portion, a bottom portion; A first matable connector extending around at least a portion of the handbag adjacent said top portion of the handbag, An elongated flexible member having a first side, a second side, a first end and a second end, said elongated member having a length sufficient to extend substantially around at least a portion the handbag adjacent the location of the first matable connector and having a second connector located thereon, said second connector detachably matable with the first connector such that the elongated member may be removably secured to the handbag to provide an aesthetically pleasing look whereby this elongated flexible member may be readily replaced with another elongated flexible member having a different aesthetic look.
 2. A handbag system, comprising: A first handbag, having an inside, an outside, a top portion, a bottom portion; A first matable connector extending around at least a portion of the handbag between the top and bottom portion of the handbag, A second smaller handbag capable of operating separately as a clutch type purse, said second handbag sized to accept the bottom portion of the first handbag and having a second connector located within the upper portion of the second handbag such that the second hand bag may be removably secured to the first handbag when so desired. 